Solar energy is the cleanest source of energy that is produced by the sun. It can be converted into thermal or electrical energy and every year its usage is becoming bigger and bigger. In 2021, 4.4% of overall energy worldwide came from solar power which is significantly more compared to 2020 when that percentage was 3.3%. Today there are more than 135 gigawatts installed in the United States which is enough to power 24 million homes. There is no doubt that solar energy has many benefits but before you decide to contact professionals such as Peak Services and start producing your own solar energy you should be well-informed about what to expect. Thus, read this article and learn what are the things that you need to know about installing solar panels on your roof.
How does solar energy works and is it worth installing solar panels?
Undoubtedly, solar power is one of the best sources of energy. But how does exactly works? Solar power works in a way that converts energy from the sun to power. There are two different forms of energy that can be generated by the sun and those are electricity and heat. Both forms of energy are generated through solar panels that can be used for both residential and commercial purposes. Each individual solar cell absorbs sunlight during the daytime which is used to power your home or commercial space. With solar panels comes a net meter as well that is used to measure the usage of the energy.
Solar energy was used for the first time in the 7th century BC. At that time people were using sunlight to light fires by reflecting it onto shiny objects. Nowadays, the usage of solar energy is much more advanced and there are many advantages to using it. Some of the benefits are:
- Lower energy bills
- Clean and renewable energy
- Low maintenance
- Cost-effective solution
- Gives energy independency
Things to know about installing solar panels on your roof
It is true that solar energy is a great source of energy but there are certain things that you should know before you decide to install solar panels. From the type of your roof, and the cost of the installation, to their maintenance, and finding residential solar panel cleaning services there are many things to be aware of. Therefore, do not rush into making the decision and learn first everything you need to know about installing solar panels on your roof. Once you have all the information it will be much easier to install solar panels and maintain them properly ensuring you are taking full advantage of their usage.
Check if your roof can support solar panels
The first thing that you will have to know before installing solar panels is if your roof will support solar panels. Therefore, hire experts to check your roof and its structure. Also, make sure that your roof is in good condition. and that it won’t need repair in the next couple of years. Because most solar panels come with a warranty of 20 to 25 years. If you need to pay to disconnect them before that in order to fix the roof it will be wasted money in the first place.
Apart from the structure make sure that your roof is positioned well. In order for the solar panels to work and produce enough solar energy it is crucial that your panels get enough sunlight. If your roof is constantly in the shade you will not get as much solar energy as you would need. Also, make sure that the roof is accessible so the professionals can perform the annual checkups. In order to produce enough solar energy it is crucial to have solar panel cleaning Enterprise NV services occasionally to wash them from dust, debris, bird droppings, etc.
Consider the surrounding of your house
Not only that you would have to assess the position of your roof but the surroundings as well. It is crucial to make sure that there is nothing around your roof that will block the sunlight. For example, it might look now that your roof is not in the shed. But don’t forget about any trees that you might have in your backyard that might grow in a couple of years. Thus, would be a good idea before you install solar panels to contact turf cleaning Enterprise NV. The experts will not only be able to maintain the turf in your yard but also to help you out with the growth of the trees and how they can affect the efficiency of your solar panels.
Decide what kind of solar energy will work best for you
Another thing that you should learn about before installing solar panels is the type of solar power that you will need. As already mentioned there are two types of solar energy. The ones that generate electricity and the one that generates heat. If you live in an area where heat is very expensive or you use a lot of energy in your home for heating then you would need to consider thermal technology. Still, be aware that solar thermal is very rare for residential purposes.
Another form of energy that produces electricity is used in households more often. To generate electricity you should get solar photovoltaic. But also, once you decide which type of solar energy you will use make sure to maintain it in order to work properly. For example, many residential areas in Enterprise NV use photovoltaic cells in order to produce enough electricity. Still, this area is covered with pigeons whose droppings may affect the efficiency of the solar cells. Therefore, consider hiring solar panel pigeon control Enterprise NV in order to keep birds away from your property. That way you will have solar panels that are worth the investment.
How much will it cost to install solar panels on your roof?
Of course like with anything else the cost of installing the solar panels will vary and depend on various factors. First of all, it will depend on the type of solar panels you would like to install. Then it will depend on the size and number of cells that you would need. And lastly, it will depend on the solar manufacturer. But overall, the average cost of installing solar panels in the United States is around $16,000. However, the price can range with the lowest cost being $3,500 and it can go up to $35,000.
Still many states offer incentive programs that can help you save money on the installation. It is true that the installation itself can be costly at first. But installing solar panels will save you money in the long run. You will not have to spend much on its maintenance and your electricity bills will be much lower. In a couple of years, you will realize that it was worth the investment.
There are different incentive programs
Many local governments decide to help their residents to install solar panels. This is because it is clean energy that is good for the environment. In order to motivate people to go solar different states have different programs. But in most states, these programs include solar rebates, tax credits, and low-interest loans. Over the years this has been proven as a great form of stimulating people to opt for green and renewable energy.
For example, in order to reach the goal and go solar by 2050, Nevada offers different solar incentives. From the net meriting program, federal solar investment tax credit, and state property tax exemption, to the trading program Nevada has been successful in going solar in a very short period of time. And Nevada is not the only state that offers such great programs. Therefore, before you decide to install solar panels on your roof make sure to learn everything you need to know about solar incentives in your country.
You can either lease or buy the system
Before you install the solar panels on your roof you should make your budget. Now that you know the average cost of the installation and the factors that will determine it, as well as the possibility of getting into one of the solar incentive programs it is time to calculate the cost. This is important to do not only because you will know how much money you would have to invest but it will give you the chance to calculate if you have that money.
In case buying the solar system is a big investment for you at the moment you can always consider leasing it. Still, you would have to take into consideration all the advantages of leasing vs buying the solar system. For example, if you lease a solar system it would cost you almost nothing at first but your benefits will be limited. You would pay a monthly fee but once your contract is finished the company would take the solar system away. On the other hand, if you own your own solar system it might cost more at first, but once you pay it off you will still have solar energy for free. When you are deciding whether should you buy or lease solar panels also take into consideration that solar panels can last for decades but other equipment related to the system to it has a shorter lifespan.
Hire trustworthy installers
Whether you are looking for a bird control Summerlin NV company, professionals to relocate you, or experts to install the solar panels on your roof it is obvious that you will always look for a trusted and reliable company. Therefore, before you settle for your solar panel installers make sure to do good research. Also, get some recommendations from the people you trust and who have experience in this matter. Having a reliable company will mean that your solar panels are properly installed and that you will have someone to contact in case you need any help. Remember that the lifespan of solar panels is long as well as the warranty. This is why you would need to hire a company that will be around in the years to come.
Regular checkups are important for the efficiency of solar panels
The last thing that you need to know before installing solar panels on your roof is that they require little maintenance. But they still require some. Once you have them on your roof it is advisable to inspect them every month in order to have solar panels that efficiently generate energy. Check for dirt and debris, potential corrosion, or broken glass. Don’t forget that even the birds’ droppings may interfere with the efficiency of solar panels. This is why you should hire pigeon removal Henderson services if your home in Henderson attracts a lot of birds. Lastly, it would be good to hire professionals for the annual checkup. They will inspect your roof and confirm whether your solar panels are working properly.
Learn everything you need to know about installing solar panels on your roof
Once you are aware of what types of solar power exist, how solar panels work, where can you install them, and how much the installation will cost, you will be ready to start searching for reliable installers. Just remember that once you install the solar panels you will be able to save a lot of money on your electric bills, but you shouldn’t try to save it on the installment. Therefore, now that you know about installing solar panels on your roof choose the right panels for your home and start using clean and renewable energy now.